Holz-Clause to Depart Huntley College

Mary Holz-Clause is leaving her post as dean of the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture to become chancellor at the University of Minnesota-Crookston, effective June 30.

Holz-Clause came to Cal Poly Pomona in July 2014 and worked to raise the College of Agriculture’s profile, build relationships with agricultural industry partners, identify new resources for the college, and expand educational outreach efforts. 

During her tenure, the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture:

  • Reached an all-time enrollment high with more than 2,000 students.
  • Exceeded the university’s six-year graduation rate for first-time students.
  • Received a gift of a 475-acre pistachio farm from alumnus Don Huntley. Subsequently, the California State University Board of Trustees named the college after him.
  • Hosted distinguished guests, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, management guru Peter Senge, and billionaire Stewart Resnick, founder of The Wonderful Co.
  • Reconstituted the Dean’s Advisory Council and added students, alumni, and industry figures as members.
  • Expanded educational outreach programs at AGRIscapes and scholarships with an $800,000 gift from businessman Jim Hicks.
  • Established a 5,040-square-foot greenhouse to support research to prevent the spreading of a deadly citrus disease.
  • Represented the CSU on the California Governor’s Department of Food and Agriculture Board.

Holz-Clause came to Cal Poly Pomona after serving as the University of Connecticut’s first vice president of economic development. Prior to that, she spent 25 years at Iowa State University, starting in business development and rising to serve as associate vice president of extension and outreach and director of global programs.

Her husband, Reg, served as director of development for the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture.

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